Book excerpt: A unique insight into the hidden world of informers and related aspects of covert policing. Edited by Roger Billingsley, head of the Covert Policing Standards Unit at New Scotland Yard, this book is the first to look behind the scenes of undercover police work since the authorities lifted the rules on secrecy. Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) covers such key matters as: What is meant by CHIS The legal framework The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Inherent powers and the position at Common Law ‘Informers’ and ‘informants’ Working methods and oversight Handlers, controllers and authorising officers Dangers and risks Human rights, proportionality and ‘necessity’ Corruption and ‘noble cause corruption’ Protection and the duty of care Undercover officers: strains, duties and requirements ‘Official’ participation in crime: how far is it legal? Motives of informers Records and management of information Juvenile informers Texts, public interest immunity and anonymity Debriefing and human memory The context of informer relationships ‘Ownership’ of intelligence and communications A European perspective General background, views and opinions Contributors: Jonathan Lennon, Clive Harfield, Ben Fitzpatrick, John Potts, Kingsley Hyland OBE, John Buckley, Alisdair Gillespie and Michael Fishwick. With a preface by John Grieve QPM and a Foreword by Jon Murphy QPM Roger Billingsley has served for 32 years in the English police service, mainly within the field of criminal investigation. He was actively involved in the world of informers - as a handler, controller and authorising officer - and now heads London’s Metropolitan Police Service Covert Policing Standards Unit, dealing with every aspect of covert policing, including informers.